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  • Sowore:Rule of law dying in Nigeria – Gani Adams

    Sowore:Rule of law dying in Nigeria – Gani Adams

    Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Ige Adams, has described the re-arrest of the publisher of SaharaReporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, shortly after his purported release as a national tragedy, saying the situation that played out at the court had only indicated that Nigeria had lost its drift as a democratic nation.

    Speaking at the weekend in Lagos, Aare Adams, insisted that the situation in the country had only justified that the rule of law was gradually dying, while the federal government remained helpless.

    He said: “With what happened at the court, it reminded me of the dark era of the military,but ironically, the present government under President Muhammadu Buhari is liken to the military junta of the late Sanni Abacha,where the military brigande held sway for years.

    “I have been watching events as they unfold, but I am saddened that the event that transpired in the court was a testimony that Nigeria still has a long way to go. The Department of State Services (DSS) failed to respect the rule of law and it was a sad reminder of the military era.

    “This is not the democracy we fought for between 1993 and 1998. I remembered vividly as activists and prodemocracy groups, we put our lives on the line to ensure that our dreams for this democracy become a reality. Now, democracy is here, but we have lost touch with the ideals of a democratic setting as it is practised in other climes.

  • Fasoranti's daughter: Yoruba will react if pushed to the wall, Gani Adams warns

    Fasoranti's daughter: Yoruba will react if pushed to the wall, Gani Adams warns

    Gani Adams, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland and leader of Oodua Peoples Congress said Yoruba will react to the spate of killings in the South West when pushed to the wall.
    He was reacting to the killing on Friday of Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere. Adams condoled with Pa Fasoranti and hoped that justice will be done.
    “We are like the proverbial goat that it being chased”, Adams said in a statement circulated by his media assistant, Kehinde Aderemi.
    “When it gets to the wall, it will certainly react. We are at that stage now,” Adams said.
    He described Olakunrin’s killing by suspected herdsmen in Ondo State as one too many by Fulani who are invading the South West in their numbers and perpetrating atrocities.
    “We only want the whole world to know what has been done and being done to our people.
    “They should be aware of the actions that preceded our reaction when it eventually comes.
    “We are not bereft of ideas of how to stop this criminality on our land. It is just so that we should not be blamed when the reaction comes”, he added.
    Adams said the Yoruba leaders in the region have been meeting in the last two months over the security threat to the people, calling on Governors of to ensure the conclusion of the meetings.

  • U.S. seeks Gani Adams’ view on Nigeria’s insecurity

    The United States of America has sought the views of the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on the security situation in the country.
    A two-man team of officials from the US Embassy in Lagos, led by the Political Officer, Shashank Iyer, met with Adams on Monday in his Lagos home on the issue.
    Accompanied by the Embassy’s Political Specialist, Arnold Abulime, Iyer told Adams and some members of the Aare-in-Council who joined him in receiving them, that the US was concerned about the tension in the country, especially now heightened with the introduction of Ruga.
    Ruga is the policy of the Federal Government establishing settlements for herders in the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
    Iyer said the concern of the US is how all ethnic groups in the country can live peacefully.
    He said it has been observed that the people of the country have the capacity to pull through hard times economically, but some touchy issues such as Ruga have the tendency to make them drift apart.
    He added: “It is tricky getting all to live together, so that is why there is the need to meet and share perspectives.
    “We need to be able to move the needle forward together in Nigeria, deal with ethnic issues capable of destabilising the country.
    “Nigerians will always find a way around economic issues, but ethnic issues have a way of destabilising the country.”
    In his response, Adams said the solution to all the crises bedevilling the country lies in restructuring the polity.
    He said he believes that the country’s numerous problems will be resolved within four years if the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration agrees to restructuring.
    The Aare Onakakanfo said: “It is not in the world’s interest for Nigeria to go to war.
    “The world will be affected.
    “With a population of over 200 million, every part of the world will feel the disintegration of Nigeria.
    “So what we are seeking for is for your government to prevail on Nigeria’s government to restructure.
    “Most of our problems will be solved in four years once restructuring takes place.
    “Our system is going to a state of collapse, especially with the Buhari Government in the last four years.
    “And it can only get worse.
    “If Buhari does not restructure, it will get worse.
    “To save this country, the only way is to accept the report of the Constitutional Conference of 2014 or revert to the 1963 Constitution.
    “As it now, no zone is peaceful anymore.
    “Even in Katsina, the President’s state, two traditional rulers were kidnapped without trace till today.”
    Aare Adams said the US had indeed helped Nigeria before now with the restoration of democratic rule in 1999, hailing the former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, for the role he played.
    He said without such intervention now, a revolution is imminent in Nigeria, adding: “Lessons from Ilorin and Lokoja in the past when the Fulanis came to require for land for their cattle are imperative.
    “They gradually took the place over.
    “The same happened in Plateau and Southern Kaduna.
    “The history and antecedents of the Fulanis do not make it possible for any sane Yoruba man to accept Ruga.”
    Adams also presented some documents, which he said contained part of his position, to the team from the Embassy before the closed door meeting began.
    Others present at the meeting included a former Minister of Defence, Dupe Adelaja; Dr. Akin Sonaiya; former Political Adviser to the President, Akin Osuntokun; Publicity Secretary of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Yinka Oguntimehin; and prominent businessman and politician, Kole Omololu.
    They all spoke in support of the restructuring of the country and opposed the Ruga policy of the Federal Government.
    They also questioned the spending of money on the Ruga initiative when several other Nigerians running their private businesses have not benefitted in any form from the Federal Government and with many going hungry.
  • Killings: Fulani marauders must vacate Yoruba land now – Gani Adams

    Killings: Fulani marauders must vacate Yoruba land now – Gani Adams

    The Aare Onakakanfo, Gani Adams has ordered Fulani marauders killing people in the Southwest to vacate Yoruba land now or face the consequence as the Yoruba people will not fold their arms and watch their people being killed, raped and kidnapped.

    Arising from a crucial meeting of the Aare Onakakanfo in Council, Adams warned that the Yoruba people would be forced to retaliate if the Fulani herdsmen continued to maim innocent people.

    “We cannot continue to fold our arms and let these bandits continue to soil our land with the blood of the innocent. Consequently, we hereby ask these Fulani marauders to stop their murderous activities and vacate every inch of Yoruba land they currently ravage.

    “Failure to reconcile themselves with these terms may warrant maximum retaliation as the principle dictates that a bully only respects a bully.

    “The campaign of blood by Fulani herdsmen, who have been ravaging our land, kidnapping, killing, maiming and raping our people in recent years has become a serious source of concern for the Yoruba race; a race renowned for their staunch passion for peaceful coexistence, national cohesion and development.

    “The threat posed to our existence by these blood-mongering marauders cannot be overlooked as we, as a people, believe that for peace and accord to reign among the multiplicity of people who occupy a common territory, all parties must play a role in ensuring that each and every unit in this country respect each other in all ramifications,” he stated.

    According to Adams, it was disheartening and most embarrassing that the group, despite several appeals to their consciousness and common sense, had continued to wreak havoc in Southwest land, and forcibly planning to reap where they had not sown.

    He said they had proven that they had come to steal, destroy, and kill; as evident in the unmitigated attacks on communities where their nomadic enterprise took them, adding that they had been plundering Yoruba land, and “we recognize evil when we see it. This is no exception.”

    He said “as true spawns of Oduduwa, we are unequivocally forthright about this threat posed by this group which the federal government has turned a blind eye to by refusing to call a spade by its name, dubbing the Fulani marauders as criminals, bandits, and pillagers. Every true blood of the Yoruba race is at the risk of being haunted and slaughtered by this reckless group if we keep sugarcoating the bloody implications of their evil enterprise.

    “We are acquainted with the nature of Fulani nomads in the past, and we know as a matter of fact that they were not carrying AK47s. It is because of this naked truth that we ask that these people be labelled as what they are. We are clamouring that the appropriate moniker should be used to tag them. They should be addressed as ‘Fulani bandits,’ for we believe that there is power in names.

    “We strongly advise Obas and local Chiefs to show more than passing interest in the activities of people in their domains. They must know that they cannot be blameless for their failure to account for and monitor strangers in their areas of jurisdictions, particularly those whose activities run contrary to peaceful coexistence.”

    Adams added that the Yoruba people could not continue to fold their arms and let these bandits continue to soil their land with the blood of the innocent and demanded concrete action from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration over the activities of these murderous gangs.

    “We are no longer comfortable with the continuing brutalization and murderous humiliation of our people. Government’s silence is distressing as it is emboldening the criminals. President Buhari must act now. They need to understand that their seeming stillness about this plague is a tacit alignment with the forces of evil,” he said.

    Adams listed dark spots where urgent Federal Government’s intervention were needed to include Orile-Owu to Ijebu-Ode forest, Osun and Ogun States; Ilesha, Ife, Aramoko, Ijero, Esa-Oke, Ikire, Gbogan, Ode-Omu, Ifewara, Ibadan to Ife Road, Ife to Akure Road, Ikesha to Oshogbo, and environs; Osi, Igede, Ilupeju, Ikole, Ado, Ikere, and environs, among others.

  • Nigerians are hungary, Gani Adams tells Buhari

    Nigerians are hungary, Gani Adams tells Buhari

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams, on Thursday took on the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on the claim that life had improved under Buhari’s watch.

    This was as Prof Akin Onigbinde described the statistics on Buhari’s achievements as “the reality that we cannot see.”

    The three men were among speakers at the 2nd annual lecture of Freedom Online, which held in Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday.

    At the event, which had the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, as guest speaker, both Adesina and Adams were guests of honour while Onigbinde was the keynote speaker.

    Among other dignitaries on the occasion were former governors of Ogun and Abia states, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, respectively.

    Adesina had reeled out statistics on the achievements of the Buhari’s administration since 2015, saying only those who chose to be wilfully blind would not acknowledge government’s achievements.

    Adesina said under Buhari’s watch in 2017, Nigeria’s agricultural export grew by 180.7 per cent; while raw materials export in the same year rose by 150.2 per cent.

    “Before we export, it means that, to a large extent, we have satisfied domestic demand,” he said.

    He added that rice importation had reduced by 90 per cent, saving the country billions of dollars on a daily basis.

    “How about the stock market in 2017? The Nigerian stock market ended as one of the best performing in the world.

    “Five million new taxpayers were added since 2016,” Adesina said, adding that between 2016 and 2017 government spent N2.7tn on infrastructure, “unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.”

    Adesina said it was only those playing politics that would claim not to have seen or felt the impact of government’s achievements.

    “If you choose to be wilfully blind, even if they put something in your face you won’t be able to see it,” the presidential spokesman said.

    But in his remarks, Adams said though Adesina’s analysis was beautiful, it meant little to the man on the street.

    He said, “You made a very good analysis, but by the time we check it, I know you are a very honest person and you are telling us the truth, but with this analysis, I think the grass-roots people should feel the government; they should feel the impact of government by all means.

    “I am a regular traveller; I’ve travelled to about 46 countries and I know what is happening in the developed world and when you see most of their economic analysts, they won’t tell you what they are doing theoretically but you will see what is happening.”

    He, therefore, called on Adesina to go back to Abuja and tell the President that the people were hungry.

    He said, “When my brother, Mr Femi Adesina was making the analysis, it got to a point, I was so shocked because I know the background of my brother, Femi Adesina, as a brilliant journalist. When he was at The Sun Newspaper, you’d love to read his articles and for trying to package their government, I was not surprised.”

    Turning to Adesina, the Aare Ona Kakanfo said, “But I want you to pass this message to the President because I remember when President Goodluck Jonathan was in power, he said when they are in that Villa, it’s just like being in a prison or a cage; they don’t know what is happening at the grass roots. But coming to this event, we need to pass this information that you can tell Mr President that Nigerians are suffering. Ebi n pa awon ara ilu (the people are hungry).”

    Earlier, Onigbinde had described Adesina’s analysis as “the reality that we cannot see.”

    Onigbinde said, “I welcome my friend, Adesina, telling us the reality we cannot see; we are not wearing glasses, these are things I encounter on a daily basis. I have heard about the Metro Rice in Ogun State, I saw it only on television; it is not in Daleko Market and the rice is also not in Kuto.

    “I live in Bodija, I can’t see this rice. But Femi is my brother, he has a duty to direct our gaze to what we cannot see and we begin to see things in our imagination.”

    In his lecture, Fayemi, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Investment and Trade, Mr Akin Oyebode, said Nigeria must commit huge investment to health care and education.

    He said, “No economy can develop without a healthy and competent workforce. Therefore, education and health care are critical social investments required to develop our nation. This is why we must continue to expand the health insurance and ensure that the poorest people get coverage.”

  • I’m ready to lead battle against killer herdsmen – Gani Adams

    Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Adams, has reacted to the recent killings in the country while declaring his readiness to lead fight against killer herdsmen.

    Adams, who called for a South-West Security Summit to discuss herdsmen killings in the region, stated that events of the last few months have shown that Nigeria is at the crossroads.

    A statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen lamented that blood thirsty maniacs are on the rampage, killing and maiming innocent Nigerians.

    It reads: “The insecurity in the land is reaching an alarming peak. Pitiably, the ‘clear and present danger’ today is that the government seems helpless to curtail the situation.

    “In some sections of the country, it is no longer ‘breaking news’ that marauders kill farmers at will.

    “Because these killings are giving patriotic Nigerians the creeps, patriots are shouting themselves hoarse, telling the government to do something urgently to check the trend.

    “While members of the comity of nations are alarmed about happenings in our country, it appears as if they are crying more than the bereaved.

    “Although the government has promised to check the rampaging lunatics, Nigerians are still not convinced of a decisive clampdown on these killers.

    “Thousands of lives have been lost to these sons of Lucifer, but it is strange that not even a single arrest or prosecution has been affected.

    “When I was installed as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland by His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, on January 13, 2018, I vowed that I would do everything to project the image and protect the name of Yorubaland.

    “Sadly, my zeal to protect Yorubaland and the will of millions of Yoruba to defend their fatherland are being tested with the invasion of some parts of our land by these killers.

    “I find it difficult to comprehend this open insult that some killers, whose kinsmen live in our villages, towns and cities, will invade Yorubaland at will, kidnap, rape and, in some bizarre situations, kill some of our sons and daughters.

    “The borders of Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo and Kogi states are becoming too hot for indigenes as many people have been kidnapped, leading to soldiers going after these killers deep inside the forest.

    “Recently, the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Saki Unit, Oyo State Police Command, was killed by these marauders.

    “I ask, if we allow killings of innocent farmers and destruction of farmlands in any part of Yorubaland to continue, where is our determination to defend the Yoruba society, values and territory? Obviously, our silence is being misconstrued for foolishness.

    “We cannot continue to expose the flanks of Yoruba societies and communities to incursions and attacks because we have enough hunters, traditionalists, farmers and ancestral security outfits to commence the maximum protection of all parts of Yorubaland.

    “Strangers are gradually taking over parts of our land but according to history, marauders, arsonists and murderous gangs failed, and will continue to fail, to conquer Yorubaland.

    “The first fundamental right of a Nigerian is the ‘Right to Life’. The day will never come when Yoruba men, women, adults and infants can no longer move freely in their fatherland.

    “Insult from these killers to the Yoruba Nation is gradually creeping in. You will recall that Senator Ayo Arise was recently abducted on his way to Abuja. A Methodist priest was also abducted in Osun.

    “Our traditional institution was desecrated on June 23 when Olori Olukemi Agunloye, the wife of Oba Samuel Kehinde Agunloye, the Alauga of Auga Akoko, in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, was abducted on the notorious Auga/Ise Road in the Akoko area of the state.

    “The next day, more than 200 innocent men, women and children were killed in Plateau State. Are we going to wait for this type of barbaric killing to happen before we rise against this evil in Yorubaland? Time to check this madness is now.

    “Therefore, I urge the government to urgently liaise with Executives in Yorubaland to convene a South-West Security Summit to be held in one of the state capitals. The meeting will involve, among others, traditional rulers, religious and opinion leaders, farmers, businessmen, herders and security agents in the region.”

  • Panic as Gani Adam’s led OPC faction clash with others in Ibadan

    …Police arrest forty-six (46)

    The Oyo State Police Command on Monday arrested 46 rival faction members of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) in connection with the mayhem that was perpetrated at Oke-Ado area of Ibadan in the early hours of Monday (today).

    There was commotion in the area as early as 6.45am when suspected rival factions of the Congress clashed, leaving several people injured.

    Eyewitness said the factions clashed over the control of the area, with several shops and offices looted. Many vehicles were also destroyed.

    The eyewitness added that the rival groups engaged themselves using guns, machete and other dangerous weapons in the fight.

    “Many vehicle owners driving through the area had to abandon their vehicles and ran to safety.

    “The hoodlums shot into the air to scare people away. We don’t know the motive behind the fight, but we heard that they were fighting over the control of the area.

    “We also heard that the fight was between New Era faction of OPC and another group loyal to Aare Gani Adams’ faction.”

    Efforts to get the response of the National Public Relations Officer of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (New Era), Adeshina Akinpelu, failed as he did not answer his calls, nor did he reply to a text message.

    Police sources said the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, had to shelve the Monday meeting with senior officers of the command in order to mobilise his men in response to the crisis.

    Public Relations Officer of the command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the CP also visited the scene of the fight and that peace has been restored.

    He, however, did not confirm if the fight was between rival OPC groups.

    He said, “Forty-six suspects have been arrested already. Normalcy has since been restored following prompt deployment of policemen to the scene.

    “The CP, Abiodun Odude, personally visited the scene where he assured residents of adequate protection.

    “He has directed that the CIID should commence discreet investigation into the incident.”

  • In photos: Gani Adams coronation as 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo

    The ancient city of Oyo received people from far and near today who came to witness the installation of Chief Gani Adam as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
    The ceremony which held at the Durbar Stadium in the town, had in attendance traditional rulers and other dignitaries, which include the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji; the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Rauf Olayiwola and Timi of Ede, Oba Adesola Lawal.
    See photos

  • Full Text of Gani Adams’ speech after his coronation as 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo

    Otunba Gani Adams has been installed as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland at an event held on Saturday at Durbar Stadium.

    Adams, in his address, thanked the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi for finding him worthy of the position.

    His full speech below

    “There cannot be a more humbling occasion for me as the one we are in today.

    Against the backdrop of the size of the office the Iku Baba Yeye, His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III, has bestowed on me and the larger than life image of my predecessors, my installation as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo is a challenge that has made all past challenges seem like a child’s play.

    Though I am just stepping into the office, past occupants of the seat, especially the 13th and 14th occupants – Aare Samuel Ladoke Akintola and Aare Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola – brought so much power and glamour to the office that it is obvious I have a lot of work to do. As astute businessmen and politicians of note, they raised the profile of the office.

    There is no doubt from the reactions that followed my pronouncement by the Alaafin of Oyo as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo that the power and prestige of the office has not waned since it was created centuries ago by Alaafin Ajagbo.

    In fact, the epoch-making event of today is symbolic as 2018 marks the 558th anniversary of the installation of the first Aare Ona Kakanfo – Kokoro Gangan of Iwoye.

    It is of interest to note that the military, political, traditional and cultural symbolism of the title to the Yoruba Empire, about 600 years ago, is still of strategic importance in the 21st Century.

    This attribute reveals the uniqueness of the Yoruba race and shows that so much is still expected of the occupant of the post, despite the fact that physical and armed wars are no longer the order of the day.

    In fact, despite the fact that I am an holder of 52 traditional titles, none has drawn as much comments and commendation by way of letters and visits.

    The import of the Office still stands: protection of the interests of Yoruba race, both within the country and everywhere else people of the race exist.

    While it is estimated that there are 60 million Yoruba within Nigeria and about 200 million others scattered all over the world, as a starting point, the preservation of the culture of the race will occupy my attention.

    Pitiably, as a race, we are gradually losing our culture. In fact, from my travels around the world, it has become obvious that people of other races are taking more interest in our culture than we the owners of the culture, with Americans, Europeans and Asians now earning Degrees in the study of our culture, beliefs and what they have come to term Doctrine. We need to preserve our culture to fully realize the potential of the Yoruba.

    Though with an activist background, it is now clear that I have to do more as a bridge builder with this new responsibility.

    In as much as the focus of my struggle has changed over the years from the heady days of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to the spread of our culture through the formation of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), which is now in 79 countries, the Olokun Festival Foundation, Gani Adams Foundation and many others, this new responsibility, despite my age, has unwittingly forced the stature of a statesman on me.

    I promise to live up to that calling.

    In this regard, I will work with our traditional rulers, grassroots leaders and have good rapport with all stakeholders, no matter the differences of the past, for the unity, progress and advancement of Yorubaland and Nigeria.

    The office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo will project the Yoruba culture and tradition by promoting and sustaining our identity globally.

    The office will equally ensure unity of all Yoruba sons and daughters all over the world.

    Also of strategic importance to me is research and documentary to sustain the ideals of our founding fathers.

    To ensure the continuation of the leadership role the Yoruba is known for educationally, I will give scholarships to our sons and daughters because education is light and power.

    Also, I will collaborate with security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that Yorubaland is effectively secured through our various organizations.

    I want to assure this August gathering that given the fact that the Oodua Progressives Union (OPU), which I am also the Convener, is now established in 79 countries, I will use this Union and other pan-Yoruba groups abroad to invite our sons and daughters with exceptional abilities, who have distinguished themselves in various fields, to come home and help in our quest to ensuring that our country takes its rightful place in the comity of nations.

    GRATITUDE
    At this juncture, let me express my profound gratitude to all our revered traditional rulers who have been working tirelessly to unite our race. It is a long list that it will not be possible to mention all.

    But let me use the following to pay tribute to our traditional rulers: the Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III who has deemed it fit to honour me with this prestigious title, the Ooni of Ife, Oonirisa Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; Chairmen of Council of Obas and Chiefs and all traditional rulers in Yorubaland, and not forgetting my root, the Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, and all traditional rulers in Akokoland; all the Obas who bestowed me with 52 titles, which invariably laid the foundation for my emergence as the Aare Ona Kakanfo.

    CALL FOR UNITY
    The journey has started from here. And my first appeal goes to Yoruba sons and daughters who are outside the shores of the country not to forget that there is no place like home. This was what informed the formation of the Oodua Progressives Union (OPU), Gani Adams Foundation and Olokun Festival Foundation. Please, see Yorubaland as the place to be. Don’t give the race a bad name. Come home to invest.

    As the 15th Aare Ona Kakanafo, I consider myself lucky that there is no war at hand confronting the Yoruba race now. In other words, we are living in peace time. However, I am not pleased with the level of Yoruba unity today and I am very concerned. Therefore, my greatest priority is the unity of the Yoruba race at home and in the Diaspora.

    I will, therefore, spare no effort in ensuring the unity of Yoruba race within the contemporary Nigeria body polity.

    To take the journey further, I will, after this installation, launch the Aare Ona Kakanfo Foundation. This will further promote the culture of the people and document the history of the Aare Ona Kakanfo title.

    Since we are now in the era of Information Technology, we will be unveiling historical documents obtained from the Iku Baba Yeye on the Aare Ona Kakanfo title to a website.

    2018 makes it the 30th year that the last holder of the title, Aare M.K.O. Abiola, stood before you for his installation. He died on July 7, 1998 and the post was vacant for almost 20 years.

    Same happened when the 13th holder of the title, Aare S.L. Akintola, died on January 15, 1966. It took more than 22 years before his successor took over. Why? There is the myth that holders of the title will always die a violent death. But, this is not so because many holders of the title lived to be more than 100 years.

    So, apart from setting aside the myth and projecting the image of the office, documenting the Aare Ona Kakanfo title will also let people know that a child born of humble beginning like me can make it.

    From the extreme North of Yorubaland, Arigidi-Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government the rural area of Ondo State, here I am emerging as the Aare Ona Kakanfo.

    WAY FORWARD
    My second appeal as the Aare Ona Kakanfo goes to the Federal Government to attend to some of the major roads in Yorubaland that are critical to its citizens. These include Lagos-Ibadan, Oyo-Ilorin, Lagos-Badagry, Sagamu-Benin, Badagry-Lusada-Sokoto, Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo, Osogbo-Ilesa, Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Lokoja and Lagos-Abeokuta.

    It will also be a major plus if the government, as promised by President Muhammadu Buhari in his January 1, 2018 speech, attends to rail transportation as fast as possible.

    The issue of power is also critical. This will empower artisans more.

    Security is equally important. All these would aid the development of the tourism potential of the country.

    Several countries, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Britain, Turkey, Singapore, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia and Israel have diversified their economy to tourism.

    I want to assure you that I will work with various stakeholders to turn our land into a viable tourist destination.

    To our esteemed Governors in the South-West, I call for cooperation, no matter the party line. The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission should be empowered. And I want you all to see me as a partner in progress.

    I offer myself for service once it is for the advancement of the Yoruba race. The various groups in the South-West should also resolve their crises.

    I will also persuade seven of our elders, who are not partisan, to work with me in uniting all Yoruba and resolve differences wherever they may arise.

    PROFOUND APPRECIATION
    In closing, let me express my profound appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, for their support.

    I want to thank our host Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for his immense contribution towards the success of today’s event.

    I also thank other governors for their support and contributions, financially and morally.

    Let me thank all those who contributed to the success of this installation ceremony, especially members of the Planning Committee, the media and many others too numerous to mention.
    I also want to thank my wife, Erelu Mojisola. She is a Pillar of Support and a Role Model for Women.

    I want to assure all that as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, I will use my position, God willing, to protect the interest of our land and our dear country Nigeria.

    Mo ki gbogbo yin o
    A dele bare o
    Igba mi a tu ile Yoruba lara lágbara Olodumare, Amin.
    Aare Ona Kakanfo Gani Adams
    January 13, 2018.”

  • First photos: Gani Adams steps out of seclusion ahead of coronation as ‘Are Ona-Kakanfo’

    Aare Gani Adams emerges at the Palace of His Imperial Majesty Oba Lamidi Adeyemi Olayiwola Atanda after spending three days in seclusion to observe necessary rites in preparation for his coronation as the Aare Ona-Kakanfo of Yoruba land.

    See photos: